2018-03-31

p o s s u m - b i l i t i e s


The things that are  impossible for man,
(that's man in this old world - cut off from God;
as foetus with um-bil-ical cut can
not do a lot to then improve its lot)

tell quite a diff’rent story when it’s “with
such God”, who’s “Father/Mother” & we're friends,
renewed um-bil-ical cord - then things shift:
and poss-i-bil-i-ties open again

for food and air delivered, waste disposed
of, forms a part of such an intimate
& special cord, placenta, as imposed
on mums where they have borne what dad's beget.

The possibilities that once were dead,
if given time, and waiting to allow
development to keep on, up ahead
will see more options, as it grows - somehow!

And all of this is possible now 'coz
of “with-ness” - with the source of life and hope,
who’s closer than the air we breathe, who was
not seen, yet still surrounds, to help us cope.

As babe can't see it’s mother’s face, when in
the womb, so we can't see God as we wish,
but one day when we're born, new life will win
right over this “old” life, with a splash/ splish

and cry of pain, and grief at loss of what
was then familiar, comf’table as well;
when God shall cry, and joy means pain’s forgot-
ten, as he saves us from the bin's dead smell!



The things that are  impossible for man are possible with God. Luke 18:27 ( PM Version)

2018-03-30

the waiting game


I wait on God, for he is who’s in charge,
the lord, the boss, the mentor and the coach,
but more than that, he is our ground ‘at large’
of being, and becoming, not reproach!

For he’s who now each day renews my strength,
so I can soar with wings like eagles do,
and run and not grow weary, and at length
when walking, to not stumble, but renew!

Contentment with our lot, is greatest gain,
if we have first of all - true godliness;
for even if it means to go through pain,
it knows that life that's permanent can bless.

For when we came into this world at first,
all that was in our hands is what we’ll take
away with us when we are fit to burst
into the next, where we'll land wide awake!

Who lives in this world, is no longer me!
Though it is true I journey through this place,
the one who only knows what one can see
is narrowly confined within their space.

As foetus in the womb is meant for birth,
the Christ-life that is growing now in me,
will not be so confined to this old earth,
and is my destined new identity!

I am convinced that details of my life
are worked & fashioned by God's weaving hands
to bring a basket of good (out of strife),
a future hope that’s following his plans!



I wait on the LORD, for He is the one that renews my strength. I will soar with wings like eagles. I will run and not grow weary. I will walk and not stumble. Isaiah 40:31(PM Version)
True godliness with contentment is great gain. After all we came into this world with nothing in our hands and when we leave it, we will depart with nothing in our hands!!
1 Timothy 6:6-7 (PM Version)
It is no longer I that liveth but Christ that lives in me. So I live my life in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 (PM Version)
I am convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together to fit into Gods perfect plan to bring good into our lives, for his purposes. Romans 8:28 (PM Version)
I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 (PM Version)

2018-03-29

God is trusting his chosen LEADER OF HUMANITY to do better than any other leader

Let me tell you what God said next.
He said, “You’re my son,
And today is your birthday.
What do you want? Name it:
Nations as a present? continents as a prize?
You can command them all to dance for you,
 
Or throw them out with tomorrow’s trash.        (Psalm 2:7-9 MSG)


God said something to amaze:
let me tell you what He said: 
“You're my son, this very day's 
your birthday. So, what's in your head?

What is it that you might want? 
Name it: Nations as a prize? 
Continents as a present?
You command what you devise!

Want them all to dance for you?
Or throw them out as rubbish?
That is what you'll get, they'll do
what you say, for you're in charge!

(after Psalm 2:7-9 MSG)

2018-03-28

4 friends... (version2)


Please open up their hearts to your bright love, 
please help them become curious as well,
that minds might love the truth come from above
sent here to tantalise us with its smell,

and also that they might perceive goodness(!),
the kindness and the grace of Jesus Christ,
the signs of your creative pow'r, impress
them to weigh carefully, not back a  heist!

Please open up my life & deeds to bear
clear witness, to the truth & love of God.
Then, opened thoughts and words could also share
your messages, and walk as Christ has trod.

His messages came after other things,
like healing and announcing, and then too
the asking of good questions that had wings
that sent them back to looking more for you.

And more than that, you listened to their whole
life's message, with its words and deeds as well,
and thus could hear their motives, groans of soul,
and knew some private things they would not tell,

And then you could in truth respond "from God",
God's point of view became Yeshua's too.
So you could look for fruit, when that was odd,
but still know, if there was none, what to do.

Please open wide the heavens up above
these dear ones so your spirit might come down
& woo them with the smells, sounds, sights of Love
and Truth that Jesus brought into our town.

2018-03-27

Our sttrength

The Lord himself ’s my saviour, strength, and rock.
I'll trust in him with all my heart, not try
to work things out on my own -  what a shock!
I will acknowledge God in all of my

life here, and actions, everything I do;
and he’ll direct me on the path to grow.
'You hear me, Lord, and know my need of you
for no one loves like you do, and you know

what you had in your mind when you designed
this world for us, and made us to be “gods”.
There’s stuff within this world that we can find
that fills much of our needs, that’s not at odds

with what we need from you yourself as well.
You are the God of gods - worth learning from,
you guard my life, you know that I've rebelled.
Have mercy on me, King of your kingdom,

renew my heart to follow in your ways,
so I will seek not only your good gifts,
yet let your joy my sadness then replace,
for I will seek you (who the weak uplifts),

and walk in truth, bring honour to your name,
I run to your heart, hide myself in your ...
your faithfulness. So this is where we came
to find your strength and comfort, for you're more

than all your gifts, of which you are the source,
a hope unshakeable! - who then empowers
to seize what’s been established  with such force
ahead of time - an anchor which is ours!



The Lord is my rock, and my strength, and my saviour. 2 Samuel    22:2 (PM Version)

Trust in The Lord with all your heart, don't try to work out it out on your own. Acknowledge God
in everything you do and He will direct you on the right path. Proverbs 3:5,6 (PM Version)

'You hear me, Lord, and fulfill my every need. You guard my life and have mercy on me. You replace my sadness with joy. If I only seek you, you teach me your ways so that I can walk in your truth;
you give me an undivided heart, so that I may live in a way that brings honour to your name...'
Psalm 86:1‭-‬4‭, ‬11‭ (CR Version)

And now we have run into his heart to hide ourselves in his faithfulness. This is where we find his strength and comfort, for he empowers us to seize what has already been established ahead of time - an unshakeable hope! We have this certain hope like a strong, unbreakable anchor holding our souls to God himself. Hebrews 6: 18b-19a  (The Passion Translation)

2018-03-26

still crook in hospital...

I'm glad that while God is inside time and space, that he is not bound by them eh? We can pray anywhere. I will gladly pray with you:




Oh God you know what's happened there for Brian.
You know the pain/ discomfort he's gone through,
and now with nightmares, he feels like dyin',
I pray that he'll become the man that you

once had within your dreams for him at first
before he came upon this scene on Earth.
Please help him know your great goodness that burst
the life of Jesus from it's tomb -"new birth"!

A brand new kind of life then entered here -
the kind that we all knew might come at last,
when we before our maker all appear,
and some get life that's true, as well as vast!

We pray he would become a settled man,
whose spirit rests at home  with who made him.
And we pledge us, to do all that we can,
and trust you where we can't, or mind is dim.

2018-03-25

ajoining properties...


Please God, help us to keep awake to what
you're doing and not be asleep to it,
then join in where we can, and throw our lot
in with your motivations, plans, to wit:


to serve all of your children, do what can
be done to help them grow, and get on well,
which is a fairly hard job, when each man
or woman, boy or girl, is caught in “hell” -


(a rubbish dump, designed to help decay
and speed up rotting, yet still quarantine
it’s smells and sights and functions as a way
of letting folk still chose, to not be seen


to be dependant on the Lord, their God,
the maker of themselves, and their whole earth,
the “undead” folk who shrink, who won't have trod
a path to death, if they could keep their worth.


They’d rather “find themselves”, that’s even if
their selves were dead and cut off from real life,
so whereas Jesus gave us quite a stiff
prognosis, and then treatment with his knife -


that’s if we follow his directions through
& keep him as our doctor, let him lead.
And trust him to give good advice unto
us, even when much in us will not heed).


I trust you to hold who I am, myself,
and unmake all the mess I've made of me,
and save me from my own ol’ living hell.
A new creation, who's both glad, and free.


2018-03-24

In Parables...

…He taught them many things,
as much as they could understand,
and when they were alone with him
they asked him for a helping hand, ...

…asked him to help their mother,
or to get some wedding wine,
brought to him their baby brother
to bless, to help him grow up fine.

They asked him to explain some more,
and exactly what he meant
with stories he just told before,
though others named him "Dissident".
And he asked them about their talk
-the topics (& the motives) –
gave them nick-names, & didn’t balk
at parties, or explotives#
He came, he went, he conquered
(he’s coming back again!).
He was moving, hungry, “zonkered”
-& mostly with his friends.
He shared his private life of prayer;
not all but quite enough,
like when he felt God wasn’t there,
and for enemies & stuff.
His coming, sharing, speaking,
“down-to-earth” & common-place,
was part of his “concreting 
work”*, that brought them “face to face”.




# explosive situations & provocative verbal analogies

* This man was a builder. This builder’s concreting work was the formation of parables!


2018-03-23

the builder*..


Yeshua, who was quite a builder then,
said "I will build my ekk-le-si-a and
the gates of hell will not keep out, defend,
withstand its onslaught - do you understand?”

For I will conquer, & I give to  you
the keys to ev'ry door, within God's realm.
And doors that you unlock, folk will come through,
and doors that you do not… You’re at the helm!

-  of course, along with me! I gave my word.
“I will not leave you, even till the end.“
So do not be afraid, for I have heard
your ev'ry cry, and I am still your friend.

Don't be discouraged, for I am your lead.
And I will strengthen you and help you stand
(not out, but in your trouble). If you'll heed,
I'll hold you up, with my winning right hand.




* Jesus was called "the teknon" (sometimes translated "carpenter", in our present day the closest to it might be "a builder", since as have understood, teknons were often responsible for building with earth and stone too.

Jesus said "I will build my church and the powers of hell will not conquer it. And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven" Matthew 16:18-19 (PM Version)

Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you.I will hold you up with my victorious and righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 (PM Version)

2018-03-22

Zombies of Babylon

Sometimes I feel like I'm turning back into a zombie. I feel my arms become unresponsive, my heart grows heavy, my head feels cloudy, and my eyes become weary. It becomes a struggle to do simple tasks. I find myself not wanting to learn a single new thing because I think that, "all I know is all that I need to know, and no one knows it as well as I do." We used to chant that line in Babylon.

Lies...

Some time ago, I went to live in Babylon. It turned me into a zombie. It fed me lies. Every day, more lies until I was spreading it on my toast. I even started to offer it to people.

One day, many years ago, I saw some strange people walking the streets of Babylon dropping pamphlets in our letterboxes. " We are on your side" it read. "Take heart, change sides, become alive." I saw them drop their propaganda. I don't know what stopped me from grabbing them. I can't remember if it was something I saw, or something I heard, maybe it was both.

Someone was out there fighting against Babylon. Fighting for me...

It makes me angry when I think that I gave so much for that city, only to realise that it was only trying to keep me in the dark. I was only a copy of the other guys in my street. You could buy me straight off the shelf.

It makes me sad that I ever tried to convince anyone else to be like me. I tried to make other people believe in Babylon.

Now I'm on the other side. I've got a new city. I'v got a new leader. I'm not trying to convince people to be like me, but to be like him. Back in Babylon, we didn't know what our leader was like. We never saw him, and he liked it that way.

Our new leader is great. He comes and sits with us when we eat. He wakes up with us. He works with us. When we get angry, he doesn't get angry at us too. I've still got so much to learn about him. Babylon tried to kill Him once. It didn't work. They tried to shoot him, and missed. Then they caught him, and hung him. They killed him,well..that's what they thought. Any one of us would be dead, but he came back. They say, some power helped him. I guess I've never thought to ask him for myself.

Sometimes I feel like I'm back in Babylon. I ate so many lies that I think it had some effect on my brain, and my nervous system. It's going to take some time to get well. Whatever made our leader come back to life, is helping me to get well. I'm starting to think clearly, creatively. I feel like I've got something special to give. I have moments that I turn back and think of Babylon and I want to go back. I've even packed my bags a few times. It's all nervous reaction though. I know that I'm safe here in, and looking forward to that NEW JERUSALEM!

I'm alive now..

C.C.U.

2018-03-21

His piece of the whole


I’m leaving you with this my gift - of peace!!
This is not like the peace the world can give -
for it can only give what it receives,
and it is not the source, that makes things live.

The “world” at best can only stop a war
by making people do what they don't want.
That is it's only method to ensure
that it's will will be done - a bolder font,

and pow’r of force, to make them choose to act
in ways that are prescribed by who’s in charge.
Yeshua made a diff’rent kind of pact,
that’s based on love for others here “at large”,

where he pays off our debts, unless we're jack
of having help, or being trained right up
so as to be some gods that have “no lack”*,
instead of misspelt "baby gods” - more "pups".

Yeshua said “..this is my perfect peace”
(which comes to those whose minds are stayed on God),
Don't yield to fear, let your hearts be released,
let me teach you to tread where I have trod,

to sleep when tired, and trust your father’s care,
to calm a storm upon your troubled lake,
to walk through stormy waves to places where
God’s younger children are needing a break!

Oh may your hearts be comforted, and knit
together in the love of God above,
and wonderfully made bless'ed and complete,
the riches of our God (in Christ), who’s love.



* Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:4 NIV

I am leaving you with a gift- the gift of peace!!This is not the peace the world has- but this is my perfect peace!!
Don't yield to fear or be troubled in your hearts- instead be courageous!  John 14:27 (PM Version)

Our reconciling "Peace" is JESUS!!  Ephesians 2:14a. (PM Version).

May your hearts be comforted, being knit together in love. As you are wonderfully blessed with complete understanding of the riches of God, you will know the key to God's great mystery- Christ!!  Colossians 2;2 (PM Version)


2018-03-20

Would he ever really let his secret out? (PART 2)


But how if his exemplary life was
empow’red like he had said, by love for God,
& then love for his walking images;
so love and goodness grow where he had trod.

And what if we were drawn to him like moths?
And what if that was not the end of things? -
if moths turned into butterflies, (or cloths),
when they were burnt in candles, lost their wings,

What if when the moth lost all it’s flight-pow’r,
the little grublet left could then entomb
a second time, & just at the right hour
come out then as a butterfly from womb.

Or what if when a moth was burnt in flame
their wings would flutter (automatic’ly)
together and, with others just the same,
make up a cloth, or chamoix, just for free.

Imagine further that the moths who came
to swarm around the candle or the lamp,
we're trying to beat others to the flame
and vying for the honour to be stamped

out of moth-existence, into more-FULL
(a butterfly - more beautiFUL than it,
or even cloth, to humans more useFUL).
You get the picture… maybe just a bit?

I think this little fable is somewhat
like what he knew must happen for us all
to get more beautiful, useful, what-not…
we need a chris-cross (death). That is his call!

2018-03-19

day2day

God, help this man, as he picks someone up,
and goes to work, as Jesus' little bro.,
that your creative love will keep erupt-
ing through his acts, and words, and looks, that show

just what a human being is in your..
your hopes - for sharing life and caring well.
We're glad you sent your spirit, and what's more,
Prime Minister Jesus has come to tell

us what we really needed to hear/see,
that you still rule, though greed looks awefull rife,
and you still love your children, just as we
would hold love (& too fairness), in this life.

Amen

2018-03-18

Don't worry. All shall be well!


Then Jesus said "Don't worry and don't be
afraid (that means surrendered to your fear).
For you've believed in God, and he’s truly
right worth believing in. Now see you hear -

if God can send your long awaited Christ -
anointed Leader Of Humanity,
now you must trust, believe me we are spliced
together, he’s the best leader - you see!

Be truly glad! There’s joy quite wonderful
ahead {as well as “crosswork" to be done,
with trials for a while, quite plentiful
to prove your faith is true, not a fake one.

It’s like using a diamond to scratch glass,
it shows the diamond to be what it is
(or biting on a gold coin to check “class”)
but this goes one step further - refiner's

hot fi-ah melts the gold until it runs,
it loses all its shape, its form  is gone,
but what is left is like the “blood of suns”,
& faithfulness leaves gold for dead anon.

But this will only happen when you stay
within the hands of he who seeks the pearl,
some blob of white-hot molten shiny faith
around which he would like to build new worlds}.

So let your faith remain through all these trials,
and let them burn what's weak and fake and “hell",
for it will bring much praise, and his bright smiles,
when Jesus is enthroned, and all is well.


Jesus said "Don't worry or surrender to your fear. For you've believed in God, now trust and believe in me also John 14:1 (PM Version)

Be truly glad!!! There is wonderful joy ahead. Even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials prove that your faith is genuine, being refined by fire, your faith is more precious than gold. So when your faith remains strong through these trials, it will bring you much praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. 1 Peter 1:6-7  (PM Version)


2018-03-17

folk at a Cornerstone campus met to consider future options

Oh God, you are our shield and buckler too.
And we want to see sisters and brothers
empowered and enabled to serve you
reflecting care and life, not just smothered.

Please give those folk who met, creativeness,
and help them get a sense of your heart-beat -
and why you've put them on Earth, to address
the things that make you glad, & make you weep.

And lift their heads up high, to who you raised:
High- King, and Priest, and Prophet over all,
the one who is for-ever to be praised
help them remember "Cornerstone" is small,

and keep on getting vision and the means,
from he who is quite fully "Cornerstone",
who's given us our orders and our dreams.
Help them, like him, to know we aren't alone.

And us, as well, help us not lose our nerve,
but listen to you daily, as we can,
we know you've given more than we deserve,
We don't want to stand "on our own", as "Man",

unless that's understood and lived, like him,
who never was "alone" in all his life,
although he felt he was, when light was dim,
he still spoke with you, and  knew you were rife

with "answers", understandings, loving care,
you never left, you suffered, and you bared
your right arm in his body, you were there,
your mighty pow'r of love has always cared.

2018-03-16

start2stop2start

I think that there is a way of following Christ even now, though I don't see him in his flesh. I see him in the flesh of others, and I see what he wants me to do, as I follow his thread. Not looking back or to another way. Feeling for that thread, which I can only do when I deny the urge to plough through the day, and Pow! people out of my way.



Stop to listen, stop to talk, 
Mid-dinner stop... knife and fork.
Stop mid-sentence, hold my tongue,
stop and let, Your wisdom come.

Stop mid-week, and take a break,
I want to work, but I can't fake,
The life that only God can give,
And so I stop, so I can live.

C.C.U.

2018-03-15

THE DRYAD MYTH ... HAS COME TO BE!

There are old stories of dancing tree spirits (dryads)..


 























































"I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree."*
and yet all of humanity 
is part of one big family tree. 
If you looked in from outside time, 
would our tree here be quite sublime? 
Since limb or leaf I am to be 
as part of this big family tree:
earthing it firmly to the ground,
catching light from above that's 'round -
my part to play may look like chance
as one may mock at trees that dance
yet as I look through this window
trees stand with their limbs akimbo
one waves to me in breezes high,
then gives a nod, and sounds a sigh.
I want to play my part with grace
until I see the poet's face.

[Since our old tree has got the rot
there seems no chance for "Camelot".
BUT, our tree had a tiny seed,
that fell to earth, grew like a weed.
I understand the deal to be:
if I let rot be got from me,
I can be grafted to that tree,
Hip Hip Hurray! We're dancing free!]







































*  "Trees", by Joyce Kilmer.